Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Astra Lumina Lights Up Queens Botanical Garden with After-Dark Walk-Thru

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 12/18/2023 - 4:04pm

Step into a celestial landscape courtesy of Astra Lumina and the Queens Botanical Garden.

It's not hard to find an after-dark holiday light installation in NYC this winter. From the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo to Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden and a ton of Christmas light drive-thrus in the suburbs, there are plenty of options, but none are quite like Astra Lumina at the Queens Botanical Garden.

Astra Lumina is QBG's first after-dark installation, and it lights up a mile-long trail in an awe-inspiring display that transports visitors to a whole new galaxy with an eye-popping display of lights, projections, and soundscapes.

Westgate Branson Woods: Family-Style Suites in the Charming Ozark Town

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 12/16/2023 - 12:00pm

Westgate Branson Woods Resort is nestled on 145 beautiful wooded acres in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Photo courtesy of the resort

When it comes to family travel, a comfortable crash pad is a must in my book! And the fact that my family of five doesn't fit in your standard hotel room always complicates our vacation planning. But a recent trip to Branson, Missouri, came with a pleasant, super-sized surprise. My visit landed me in one of the most lovely, family-friendly Branson, Mo. hotels: the Branson Westgate Woods Resort. It was the perfect place for us to stay in one of our favorite Christmas towns in the US.

The rustic, mountain lodge-themed property sprawls out over 145 beautiful, wooded acres and packs in plenty of family-friendly activities. But when you've had enough fun, the spacious, suite-style accommodations wait to welcome you back like a warm hug—cozy fireplace included!

Read on for more of what you can expect from this Branson, Mo. hotel and the town it calls home, then bookmark our Midwest Family Vacation Guide to start planning a trip of your own.

Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 12/14/2023 - 1:25pm

The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH

Make art, explore the natural world, and enjoy science projects at NYC's top kid-friendly museums.

New AMNH Exhibit Reveals The Secret Life of Elephants

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 11/14/2023 - 1:34pm

Get up close to a life-sized African Elephant model at the AMNH's new Secret World of Elephant exhibit. Photo by Alvaro Keding/AMNH

Step into The Secret World of Elephants courtesy of a brand-new exhibit now open at the American Museum of Natural History.

The sprawling exhibition dedicated to the world's largest land mammal is filled with life-sized models—some surprisingly pint-sized—interactive displays, and touchpoints aimed at teaching the public about these incredible animals and their evolutionary relatives.

Read on for a sneak peek at this exhibition and find more fun museum exhibits to explore with kids in our NYC Kids Guide to Museums and Galleries.

NYC's Best Immersive Museums and Pop-Up Experiences for Kids Right Now

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 11/06/2023 - 1:52pm

No matter when you visit, there's a flurry of fun to be had at Color Factory's interactive museum in NYC.

One of my favorite perks to city living is the NYC museums that surround us. It's easy to find culture on every corner from The Met's iconic artwork to dioramas, artifacts, and dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History and the rest of these top children's museums in NYC, but when you're in search of something more hands-on and interactive, NYC is a boon for that, too!

Below, find our top picks for immersive museums in NYC, where kids can get hands-on and play with slime, jump in a ball pit, bury themselves in sprinkles, and more. These immersive NYC museums are perfect rainy-day destinations that will help kids burn off some energy and introduce them to everything from art to science or simply the art of selfies in a fun and experiential way.

Find all our top kid-culture spots in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for Kids.

Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton: This Aruba Hotel Can Be Your Home Away From Home

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 12:00pm

Cool off in Embassy Suites Aruba's sprawling pool.

If the white sands and turquoise waters of Aruba are beckoning your family for a visit, Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton makes for a lovely, welcoming home away from home. This brand-new Aruba hotel takes the brand's well-known family-friendly amenities—spacious suites, generous hot breakfasts, pet-friendly rooms, daily evening happy hours—and packs it into a beautiful beachfront resort package.

Add to that the friendly, personable staff who can't wait to share the best things to do in Aruba with you, and this is an easy, warm-weather, family-friendly vacation destination in our book.

Read all about my fantastic stay at Embassy Suites Aruba by Hilton. Then check out our Caribbean Family Travel Guide for more great places to visit in the Caribbean.

Guide to the Museum of Jewish Heritage's New Kid-Friendly Exhibition, Courage to Act

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 10/17/2023 - 3:41pm

Courage to Act is the Museum of Jewish Heritage's first exhibition designed specifically with kids in mind. Photo courtesy of the museum

The Museum of Jewish Heritage might not be atop your list of must-visit children's museums in NYC, but a new exhibit geared toward young people aims to change that. Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark opened this week and marks the museum's first foray into programming for kids.

Geared toward ages 9-12, we got a sneak peek at this exhibition at one of NYC's top Jewish culture spots before it opened and were struck by its storylines, presentation, timeliness, and connections to today's news. Read on to learn why we can't wait to visit—and re-visit—this long-term exhibition with our own kids in tow. You'll find all our top picks for exhibitions with kids in our NYC Kids' Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

Guide to Pumpkin Nights, the Bronx Zoo's Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern Trail

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 12:52pm

From aardvarks to bush babies, gorillas, and more, the Bronx Zoo's Pumpkin Nights lets you see wildlife in a whole new light.

The spooky season has officially arrived in NYC, bringing with it Pumpkin Nights, an all-new, walk-thru, Halloween jack-o'-lantern trail at the Bronx Zoo.

More sweet than spooky, here's the scoop on the 1/2-mile Halloween attraction, which landed on our list of the best Halloween events in NYC for kids. You'll find more seasonal tricks and treats in our New York City Kids' Guide to Halloween.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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